Adding color to the opening rites will be the skydiving show by members of the Philippine Army while host Negros Occidental provincial government has prepared a fireworks display at the end of the program.

Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Roel Degamo will lead the hoisting of the 2016 NIRAA Meet banner along with NIR DepEd OIC Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad and the superintendents from the cities of Bais, Bayawan, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Tanjay, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Keynote speaker for the opening ceremony will be DepEd Usec. Reynaldo Antonio Laguda.

Table tennis gold medalist and junior national team member Ann Gella Borbon will lead the athlete's oath of amateurism, while football international referee Dennis Estaniel will lead the oath of officiating officials.

The athletes from Oriental's six school divisions and host Negros Occidental will compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medals in 15 sporting events in the elementary division and 17 events in the secondary department.

The NIRAA will run until Feb. 8 with the Panaad Stadium as the designated main playing venue.*NAB